Abortion Rights Blog

protest 21 October 2008

On 21st October 2008 hundreds of supporters of a woman’s right to choose protested outside parliament for the first opportunity in a generation to improve women’s abortion rights including basic reproductive rights for the women of Northern Ireland. Protesters also opposed further attempts by the anti-abortion lobby to turn the clock back on women’s rights. The crowd was angry and disappointed at the emerging news that no votes would be taken on abortion the following day. Diane Abbott MP and women from Alliance for Choice the NI grass roots campaign addressed the crowds vowing to keep on fighting for the rights of women in Northern Ireland to huge cheers. Katy Clark MP who had played a leading role throughout the year also spoke and received loud applause and Evan Harris MP who had helped coordinate much of the pro-choice parliamentary activity also came out to greet the protest.